When most people leave their house, they usually carry five to ten keys; a few keys for the home, one for the car, and some for work or a friend’s residence. Your keyring is a perfect illustration of how necessary lock technology is. You presumably come into contact with locks umpteen times per week.
The motivation to use locks everywhere is that they offer a sense of security. Therefore, there is a wide variety of locks available on the market.
The pin-tumbler lock is the most popular type of lock. This is one you are mostly recommended when you go shopping for locks. You have probably heard of a wafer lock too, as it resembles the pin-tumbler in its basic principle. As they are both based on the same underlying idea, these locks may seem quite similar.
So, which lock should you get if you’re considering buying a new one? Let us compare and contrast both to make an informed decision.
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Pin-tumbler Locks
Linus Yale, Sr., designed pin-tumbler locks in 1848, and they have since become the most used locks in the world. They are the types of locks that are most likely on your apartment entrance door.
Pin-Tumbler Lock Mechanism.
The pin-and-tumbler design’s main components are several little pins of varying lengths. The pins work in pairs. Each pair is supported by a shaft, that runs through the center cylinder plug and into the housing surrounding the plug. The top pins are known as “driver pins.” The bottom pins are referred to as “key pins” since they interact with the key.
The pin pairs in the plug are held in place by springs at the top of the shafts. When the lock is idle, the key pins in each pair are inside the plug, while the driver pins are midway between the plug and the housing. The arrangement of these driver pins prevents the plug from spinning, locking the mechanism.
When the key is inserted into the plug, the key pins are pushed upward. The pins will rise flush with the shear line, causing the driver pins to entirely move out of the plug. This only happens when the key biting and key pin lengths match. The key can rotate the plug and disengage the lock.
Pin tumbler locks are available in a variety of designs. The majority are linear, with pins arranged in a straight line.
The tubular pin tumbler lock with its pins lined up in a circle shape is a unique design. The dimple lock is another uncommon variation on the pin tumbler lock. The pins on this lock are on the side rather than on the top. Instead of teeth on the sides, the keys have little dimples.
Where Pin-Tumbler locks work
Pin tumbler Locks Are More Secure than wafer locks in general. Wafer locks are a lot easier to pick open. When it comes to security, pin-tumbler locks are the best option. Therefore, pin-tumbler locks are more popular than wafer locks and the perfect fit for your front door, where security is the number one requirement.
Wafer Locks
Philo Felter invented wafer locks in 1868, a few years after the first pin-tumbler locks. Although many automobile manufacturers still use wafer locks, they are becoming less popular. Wafer locks are far less common than pin tumbler locks in general, but they are more popular for specific uses like kitchen and room cabinets and desk locks.
Wafer Locks Mechanism
Locks with wafer mechanisms work the same way as pin-and-tumblers, but instead of pins, they have tiny wafer-shaped tumblers.
These wafers are spring-loaded and protrude out of the cylinder, tying the lock housing together. The key will fit through a hole in the center of the wafers. Only the correct key pulls the wafers down enough to retract them all into the plug. If a wrong key is put in the lock, the wafers will either be pulled down only partially; or move beyond the correct position on either side of the plug.
Where wafer locks work
Why are wafer locks used if pin-tumbler locks are so secure? The main reason for this is that wafer locks are far easier to manufacture. When convenience and cost are more important than security, a wafer lock is, without a doubt, the best. They’re simple to take apart and put back together again. That is why; they work better in places like desks, cupboards, and household cabinets.
Which one to buy?
In the end, pin-tumbler locks are superior to wafer locks. They are difficult to pick and are more sturdy, which you want from your locks. On a budget, wafer locks are alright, but if you need more secure locks, opt for a pin tumbler. On the other hand, wafer locks are preferable for places inside the house and in low-risk areas where the sole necessity is privacy.
Author Bio: Ran Kroynish is an experienced handyman who’s been working for Elite Locksmiths for 10 years. When he’s not fixing doors, he likes to share his repair ideas and knowledge with others.
Tags: Pin-Tumbler Locks
